¾ DAY - KERNE BRIDGE

¾ DAY CANOE HIRE TRIP FROM KERNE BRIDGE TO SYMONDS YAT

Canoeing the Wye from Kerne Bridge to Symonds Yat takes half a day. However you could linger with a three quarter day trip if you wished, starting at 11:30 am and finishing at 4:30pm. Ideal for an extended lunch, giving you an hour of stopping off time for either a river bank picnic or a pub lunch.

CANOEING FROM KERNE BRIDGE TO SYMONDS YAT

Setting off from Kerne Bridge you will pass through Lower Lydbrook, and navigate around a small island. This is only 30 minutes downstream but you may wish to take a break here as there are refreshments that can be purchased here. The Forge Hammer pub (Deli-verance burger van) and the Garden Cafe are located here, but check their opening times as they are not always open.

Continuing your canoeing along the Wye you will pass Welsh Bicknor on your right and English Bicknor on your left. At Welsh Bicknor there is a lovely church and a former Rectory in the grounds, previously used for the residency of the parish priest. The Rectory is now owned by the YHA trust and is used as a youth hostel. The youth hostel is a great stop off for lunch or a snack as they serve tea and coffee, along with a nice selection of cakes. The surrounding area is very pretty with fantastic views looking down the Wye Valley and a large grassy area ideal for picnics. Tip; The steps to egress from the river at Welsh Bicknor are just before you reach the church on the right hand side, which can be easily missed.

Just downstream of Welsh Bicknor you will pass under an old railway bridge, The bridge was part of the Monmouth to Ross line. On the right hand bank the railway use to go through a tunnel under Coppit Hill and head towards Ross on Wye. On the left bank there used to be a junction where the line met the Severn to Wye railway which was primarily used for exploiting mineral resources from the Forest of Dean. The remains can just about be seen as you pass along the river in your canoe.

Shortly after is the area where the 18th century Rev. Gilpin first introduced the word 'picturesque' to the English language in describing the surrounding landscape. For him it defined "that kind of beauty which is agreeable in a picture".

When the river starts to turn west you will come through a beautiful valley. You will find Ship Rock high above your left shoulder. The cliffs that run along the skyline are Coldwell Rocks, home to the Peregrine falcon. The end of the line of cliffs is marked by Symonds Yat Rock. As you come under the rocks there is a shingle beach that backs onto a meadow on the opposite side, which acts as the perfect half way stop off for a picnic or a snack.

From here the River Wye takes a long wide oval course, nearly coming back on itself at Symonds Yat. But before reaching Symonds Yat you will paddle your canoe under Huntsham Bridge (the green bridge) and it takes about 30 minutes back to us from here.

As you enter Symonds Yat West you will see large boulders on the left, this is the landmark we advise paddlers to remember as our landing point is on the right just opposite them.

To book this trip or find out the cost just fill in the first 5 drop down boxes on the booking page and it will give you a total price based on how many boats and people you have got. Tip - make sure you input a value into every field even if it is a zero.